The Billionaire’s Surrogate

Signed her body away

I sank onto the couch, clutching a throw pillow like it might provide some sort of clarity. The envelope with Ethan’s letter stared at me from the counter, a silent reminder of the predicament I’d willingly stepped into. I should’ve known this wouldn’t be straightforward before agreeing to carry his baby.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and scrolled to Ethan’s number. My finger hovered over the screen, debating whether I should call him. Was it worth it to confront him now, or should I wait until tomorrow to address this at the gala—assuming I even went?

Before I could decide, my phone buzzed with a new message. Speak of the devil.

Ethan Williams: I trust you received the invitation.

Invitation? That was rich.

I stared at the screen, debating how to respond. I wanted to send a scathing reply, something about how his definition of an “invitation” lacked any sense of choice or courtesy. Instead, I typed:

Me: I did. What exactly do you expect me to do at this gala?

His reply was almost instantaneous, like he’d been waiting for my message.

Ethan Williams: You’ll meet a few people. Nothing strenuous. It’s part of the arrangement.

The arrangement. I gritted my teeth. Of course, he’d phrase it that way—cold, detached, like this was just another business deal.

Me: I don’t recall signing up for social appearances.

There was a pause this time, and I imagined him sitting in some sleek office, fingers steepled, considering his response like a chess player plotting his next move.

Ethan Williams: You didn’t. But as the future surrogate, your presence will reassure certain parties of my commitment to this endeavor.

Reassure certain parties? What was this, a corporate pitch? My frustration simmered.

Me: I’m not a prop, Ethan.

Ethan Williams: No, you’re not. But you are integral to this process, and this event is a small part of ensuring its success. I’ll have a dress delivered to you by noon tomorrow.

I stared at the screen, anger bubbling beneath the surface. He wasn’t even asking. He was telling me—again. But before I could fire off a response, another message came through.

Ethan Williams: You’ll be compensated for your time. Handsomely.

Of course. Money. His solution to everything. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, torn between telling him off and just accepting the inevitable. This wasn’t just about me anymore; I’d already signed on for something bigger, something messier.

Finally, I typed:

Me: Fine. But this is the last “extra” thing I do.

Ethan Williams: Understood. I’ll see you tomorrow at 7.

I tossed the phone onto the couch, feeling equal parts triumphant and defeated. Tomorrow, I’d step into his world—polished, intimidating, and utterly foreign. And I’d survive it, somehow.

But as I stared out the window at the city lights, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

I really needed to meet Lily and tell her about this.

That evening, I met up with lily at our usual diner. She practically tackled me in excitement the moment I walked in.

"Okay, spill," she said, dragging me into the booth. "What happened? Did you meet any mad scientists? What the hell was in the contract you signed? Tell me everything. Is Mr Williams a vampire or werewolf", Lily was so talkative.

I laughed, though it felt a little forced. "He is not a vampire or whatever, just a very fancy clinic and a lot of tests."

"Tests?" Billie raised an eyebrow.

"They need to make sure I’m healthy enough for… you know."

She leaned in, lowering her voice dramatically. "I'm happy that you accepted to do this, huh? Fifty million to have some rich guy’s baby. I mean, it’s insane, but also… kind of brilliant, we gonna be rich."

I sighed. "It doesn’t feel brilliant. It feels… weird. Like I signed away my body."

Lily's expression softened. "Yeah, I get that. But hey, you’ve been through worse, right? And if anyone can handle this, it’s you. Just… don’t lose yourself in all this, okay?"

I nodded, appreciating her support. But as I stared down at my untouched coffee, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger than I had anticipated.

Something I wasn’t sure I was ready for.

"He told me to go on a gala with him", I spoke out of the blue and Lily's mouth immediately fall open.

She stared at me for a moment, blinking as though trying to process my words. "A gala? Seriously?" she asked, her voice rising with disbelief. "You’re supposed to go to some fancy event with him? After all the weirdness? And, what, pretend everything is normal and yet what brought you together is just a contract?"

I shrugged, swirling my coffee around in its cup, not meeting her eyes. "He’s acting like it’s just part of the deal, a small thing".

Lily let out a low whistle, clearly struggling to find words. "This sounds like a setup. You’re gonna be his… what? Trophy? Some kind of ‘look at how committed I am’ display?" She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Are you sure about this?"

I hesitated. "I don’t really have a choice, do I? He’s made it clear that the whole thing is non-negotiable, and I’m already in too deep. I’m just… I’m not sure I can handle playing along like this. It feels wrong."

Lily reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand over mine. "You’re not alone in this, okay? If you need someone to back you up, I’m there. But also, maybe it's time to set some boundaries. Make sure he knows you’re not some decoration he can dress up and show off."

I took a deep breath, considering her words. "You’re right. I need to take control of this, somehow."

"Exactly," she said with a nod. "You’re in charge of this ride. Don’t let him steer it all for you. So… what’s the plan for tomorrow? You’ve gotta tell me everything."

I exhaled, leaning back in the booth. "Well, for one thing, I have to figure out how to survive the night in that dress he's sending. I swear, if it’s something ridiculously expensive and impractical, I’m walking right out of there."

Lily snickered. "I mean, you’re totally right. But, hey, at least you’ll look amazing. And if you need a distraction, I’m your girl. Just text me and I’ll come rescue you, no questions asked."

I smiled at her offer. It was comforting, knowing that at least one person had my back in this strange, convoluted situation. "Thanks, Lily. I’ll keep that in mind."

As we sat there, the weight of the upcoming gala loomed over me. I was about to walk into a world that wasn’t mine, surrounded by people I didn’t know, all while pretending everything was fine. But deep down, I knew I had to do it. This wasn’t just about me anymore.

It was all about the contract I signed.